Jigawa and Katsina Record Highest Measles Cases as Nigeria Reports 627 Infections
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported 627 suspected measles cases across 30 states and 213 Local Government Areas (LGAs) as of January 31, 2025. While this figure represents a significant drop from the 2,157 cases recorded in January 2024, health officials remain concerned about vaccination gaps.
Dr. Jide Idris, Director-General of NCDC, revealed that Jigawa and Katsina are the worst-hit states, with Katsina reporting 102 cases and Jigawa 84. Other states with high numbers include Akwa Ibom (56), Kebbi (52), and Enugu (32), accounting for more than half of the total reported cases.
Measles, a highly contagious viral infection, spreads through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that the virus can linger in the air and on surfaces for hours, making transmission easy. Symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes, followed by a rash that spreads across the body. Severe cases can lead to pneumonia, blindness, brain inflammation, and even death, particularly among unvaccinated children.
The NCDC’s report for Epidemiological Week 7 (February 10–16, 2025) confirmed 112 cases, with no deaths recorded. This marks an improvement from the same period in 2024, which saw 23 measles-related deaths. However, data shows that 81.3% of confirmed cases involved individuals who had not received any dose of the measles vaccine, highlighting a critical immunisation gap. Nearly half (46.4%) of confirmed cases occurred in children aged 9 to 59 months.
As of January 31, 38 LGAs across 18 states were experiencing active measles outbreaks, with Katsina leading with seven affected LGAs. Other states, including Adamawa, Gombe, Bauchi, and Sokoto, each reported outbreaks in three LGAs.
Vaccination remains the most effective way to prevent measles. The measles-containing vaccine (administered as part of the Measles-Mumps-Rubella vaccine) is given in two doses at nine and 15 months, according to the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA). The NCDC is working to strengthen routine immunisation, improve surveillance, and enhance outbreak response measures to curb the spread.
Dr. Idris urged parents and guardians to ensure their children receive the recommended vaccines while calling for increased public health awareness and stronger collaboration between health agencies and local communities to eliminate measles in Nigeria.
